510 
north to Labrador, westward to California and Alaska. — Bull. Bur. 
Plant Ind., U. S. Dept. Agric., 1906, No. 89, p. 12. 
Wgl., discusses the sophistication of uva ursi and outlines several 
tests that are designed to indicate the genuineness of uva ursi by 
chemical means. — Pharm. Zentralh., 1906, v. 47, p. 954. 
Reichard, C., describes the color reaction of arbutin in nitric acid 
and explains its application. — Chem. Ztg., Cothen, 1906, v. 30, pp. 
790, 791. 
T unman n discusses the demonstration of arbutin in uva ursi 
leaves and the practical application of the nitric-acid test, proposed 
by Reichard, for the microchemical demonstration of arbutin. — 
Pharm. Zentralh., 1906, v. 47, pp. 945-947. 
Thomann, Julius, calls attention to the work done by Tunmann in 
connection with uva ursi leaves and the possibility of detecting other 
leaves by microchemical means. — Schweiz. Wchnschr. f. Chem. u. 
Pharm., 1906, v. 44, pp. 727, 728. 
VALERIANA. 
Henkel, Alice, mentions Valeriana o-fficinalis L., commonly known 
as valeriana, valerian, garden-valerian, and vandal-root, as a native of 
Europe; escaped from gardens to roadsides in New York and New 
Jersey. — Bull. Bur. Plant Ind., U. S. Dept. Agric., 1906, No. 89, p. 72. 
Philipp Roder, Wien, reports on 6 samples of valerian which con- 
tained from 7.21 to 43.98 per cent of ash, or, aside from two grossly 
adulterated specimens, 9.89 per cent of ash. The 70 per cent alcohol 
extract amounted to from 17.64 to 24.03 per cent. — Pharm. Post, 
Wien, 1906, v. 39, p. 284. 
Francis, John M., calls attention to recent German observations 
as to the keeping qualities of the fluid extract and of the tincture and 
recommends that until the question is settled the fluid extract and 
tincture be prepared in but small quantities and from the fresh 
drug. — Bull. Pharm., Detroit, 1906, v. 20, p. 12. 
Linke, R., reports finding a sample of tincture of valerian contain- 
ing methyl alcohol. Points out the danger of purchasing prepara- 
tions and the advantage of making them in the laboratory of the 
apothecary. — Apotli. Ztg., Berl., 1906, v. 21, p. 1075. 
VANILLA. 
Howell, E. M., gives an account of the origin, method of collecting 
and curing, and method of marketing the so-called “ vanilla bean.’' — 
Pharm. Era, N. Y., 1906, v. 35, pp. 502, 503. 
Gehe & Co. point out the marked reduction in the amount of vanilla 
produced in the Bourbon Islands and enumerate the yield of the 
several islands. They also discuss Ceylon vanilla, which is classed * 
as being intermediate in value between the Bourbon and Tahiti 
